Aspects described herein include devices and methods for smart ultra wideband transmissions. In one aspect, an apparatus includes pulse generation circuitry configured to output a plurality of transmission (TX) pulse samples at a selected signal sample rate, where each pulse sample of the plurality of TX pulse samples comprises a value associated with a pulse amplitude at a corresponding sample time The apparatus includes a plurality of power amplifier (PA) cells, with each PA cell of the plurality of PA cells comprising a corresponding current source and associated gates, and where the associated gates of a PA cell are selectable to configure an on state and an off state. Logic circuitry of the apparatus is configured to set the on state or the off state for each PA cell.